Shoe heel support device

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving chamber having a heel region, and a heel support device extending from a lateral side to a medial side around a posterior of the heel region. The heel support device can include a plurality of slats providing a progressive length and / or width gradient, and / or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to the footwear upper, and / or an elongated tip that can be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application filed on January 24, 2020, with application number 202310807002.0 and invention title "Footwear Heel Support Device".

[0002] Cross-references to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 805,037, filed February 13, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention generally relates to a footwear article with a heel support device configured to facilitate foot entry. Background Technology

[0005] Traditionally, placing footwear on the foot usually requires using one or two hands to stretch the ankle opening of the shoe upper and hold the rear portion in place as the foot is inserted, especially in cases of relatively soft uppers and / or uppers with heel stabilizers made of flexible fabric that are not secured to the rear of the ankle opening. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary, not to limit the scope of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the heel support device.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front view of the heel support device.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An inside view of the heel support device.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An outside view of the heel support device.

[0011] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the heel support device.

[0012] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A top view of the heel support device.

[0013] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of the heel support device.

[0014] Figure 8This is a side view of footwear, in which... Figure 1 The heel support device is in the working position.

[0015] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A side view of a footwear item, with the heel support in the in-place position.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the other heel support device.

[0017] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Rear view of the heel support device.

[0018] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 An outside view of the heel support device.

[0019] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 An inside view of the heel support device.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a side view of footwear, in which... Figure 10 The heel support device is in the engaged position.

[0021] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A side view of a footwear item, with the heel support in the use position.

[0022] Figure 16 This is a rear view of the other heel support device.

[0023] Figure 17 This is a rear view of the other heel support device.

[0024] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the other heel support device.

[0025] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 Rear view of the heel support device.

[0026] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 An inside view of the heel support device.

[0027] Figure 21 yes Figure 18 An outside view of the heel support device.

[0028] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of the other heel support device.

[0029] Figure 23 This is a side view of footwear, in which... Figure 18The heel support device is in the engaged position.

[0030] Figure 24 yes Figure 23 A side view of a footwear item, with the heel support in the use position.

[0031] Figure 25 It is along Figure 24 Intercepted at 25-25 degrees from the midline Figure 24 A partial sectional view of footwear.

[0032] Figure 26 This is a rear view of the other heel support device.

[0033] Figure 27 This is a rear view of the other heel support device.

[0034] Figure 28 This is a rear view of the other heel support device. Detailed Implementation

[0035] This document discloses various heel support devices and footwear articles having heel support devices, which enable relatively easy insertion and removal of the foot without using the hands. In one example, the footwear article may include an upper and a heel support device. The upper may define a foot-receiving cavity having a heel region. The heel support device may be disposed in the rear portion of the upper and may extend around the rear of the heel region. For example, the heel support device may be disposed in the rear portion of the upper, fixed in position at the rear portion of the upper, or both. The heel support device may include multiple slats and a base. Each slat may have a central segment and an arm extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base. When each slat is pressed from an unloaded position toward the base to a loaded position, each slat may elastically bend between the unloaded position and the loaded position. In the unloaded position, the central segment may be farther from the base than in the loaded position. The multiple slats may include an uppermost slat, a lowermost slat closer to the base than the uppermost slat, and at least one intermediate slat disposed between the uppermost and lowermost slats. The plurality of slats may include a progressive width gradient from the bottommost slat to the topmost slat. Furthermore, in some exemplary heel support devices, the plurality of slats may include a progressive length gradient from the bottommost slat to the topmost slat. For example, the bottommost slat may be shorter and thinner than the at least one intermediate slat, and the at least one intermediate slat may be shorter and thinner than the topmost slat. When a downward load is applied to the center section, each slat can be considered to act similarly to a beam fixed at one end and free at the center section. For a given downward load applied to the center section of such a slat, the longer slats deflect downward more than the shorter slats, and the narrower slats deflect downward more than the wider slats (e.g., where the length is measured along the longitudinal central axis of the slat and the thickness is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slat), and it is assumed that the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrower slat is smaller than that of the wider slat. Therefore, by constructing the device to include multiple slats with asymptotic width gradients, asymptotic length gradients, or both, each slat can be made to tend to deflect by a similar amount under a given load.

[0036] In one aspect of this disclosure, the heel support device may include a pin extending through a hole in the upper and secured to the surface of the upper. For example, a portion of the pin extending outward from the hole may be secured to the outer surface of the upper by radio frequency welding or other means. In some embodiments, the upper may include an inner layer and an outer layer. The hole may extend through the outer layer. The heel support device may be disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one example, the pin extends outward from the central segment of the lowest of the plurality of slats and may be the only pin extending outward from the plurality of slats. Because the lowest of the slats is the thinnest, to allow the pin to have a larger diameter, the central segment from which the pin extends may have a thickened region from which the pin extends. In other examples, the pin may extend outward from the central segments of different slats, and / or one or more additional pins may extend outward from the rear or side of the base.

[0037] In another aspect of this disclosure, the central segment of one of the plurality of slats may include a rearwardly extending elongated end. The elongated end serves to increase the surface area on which the foot can rest when the foot applies a downward force and moves into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper. For example, the elongated end may extend from the uppermost slat of the plurality of slats. In some embodiments, the upper is configured to receive the elongated end. For example, the upper may have a heel collar defining an opening into the foot-receiving cavity. The upper may have a tapered extension extending rearward from the heel collar. The tapered extension of the heel collar may cover the elongated end. The tapered extension of the heel collar may form an inner cavity, and the elongated end may be disposed within the inner cavity of the tapered extension of the heel collar. The upper surface of the elongated end may slope downward and inward toward the foot-receiving cavity. In some embodiments, the slope of the upper surface of the elongated end may increase in a forward direction along the longitudinal centerline of the footwear article, thereby providing a ramp. This may facilitate foot entry into the foot-receiving cavity. In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the central segment may have a discontinuity at the elongated end. In other words, the outer periphery slopes outward at the elongated end. For example, a discontinuity may exist on either side of the elongated end. Compared to a central segment without a discontinuity on its outer periphery, the position of the elongated end is more easily determined from above due to the discontinuities, increasing the ease with which the heel of the foot can be aligned with and rest on the elongated end during the pressing down of the heel support and insertion of the foot into the foot receiving cavity.

[0038] On the other hand, the heel support device can be configured to allow for easy and accurate attachment of the upper to the heel support device during manufacturing. For example, the base of the heel support device may include a relatively thicker portion of the uppermost section adjacent to the base and a relatively thinner portion of the lowermost section adjacent to the base. The upper can be sewn or glued to the relatively thinner portion of the base. Due to its relative thinness, the needle can more easily penetrate the relatively thinner portion during the sewing of the upper to the heel support device. Furthermore, the boundary of the relatively thinner portion can easily become apparent due to its contrast with the thicker portion of the base, facilitating precise alignment and placement of the upper relative to the relatively thinner portion during sewing or gluing.

[0039] In one construction, the footwear article may include an upper and a heel support device. The upper may define a foot-receiving cavity having a heel region, the upper may have a heel collar defining an opening into the foot-receiving cavity, and the upper may have a tapered extension extending rearward from the heel collar. The heel support device may extend around the rear of the heel region and may include a control rod and a base. The control rod may have a central segment and arms extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base. The control rod may be resiliently bent between an unloaded position and a loaded position and may be pressed down from the unloaded position toward the base to a loaded position. In the unloaded position, the central segment may be farther from the base than in the loaded position. The central segment may include a rearwardly extending elongated end. The tapered extension of the heel collar may cover the elongated end. The tapered extension of the heel collar may form an inner cavity, and the elongated end may be disposed within the inner cavity of the tapered extension of the heel collar. For example, the tapered extension can be constructed, shaped, and sized such that the shape and size of the cavity closely match the elongated end, and the tapered extension serves as a recess that helps to fit the upper of the shoe tightly around the elongated end of the heel support.

[0040] In one construction, the footwear article may include an upper and a heel support. The upper may define a foot-receiving cavity having a heel region, and the upper may have a heel collar defining an opening to the foot-receiving cavity. The heel support may extend about the rear of the heel region and may include a control rod and a base. The control rod may have a central segment and an arm extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base. The control rod may be resiliently bent between a deloaded position and a loaded position, and may be pressed down from the deloaded position toward the base to a loaded position. In the deloaded position, the central segment may be further from the base than in the loaded position. The central segment may include a rearwardly extending elongated end. The upper may cover at least one of the arm and the elongated end. In some embodiments, the upper may cover each of the arm and the elongated end.

[0041] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same parts in all views, embodiments of the heel support device are depicted having various features that facilitate the potential entry of the foot into footwear without the use of the hands. Figure 1 A heel support device 10 is shown, comprising a plurality of slats 12 and a base 14. The slats 12 may also be collectively referred to herein as control rods. In some embodiments of the heel support device disclosed herein, there may be only one slat, which may be referred to as a control rod. The device 10 is shown as a monolithic, integral, single component, with each of the plurality of slats 12 and the base 14 configured as a continuous arc extending from the inner side 16 to the outer side 18 around the rear portion 20 of the device 10.

[0042] The material of device 10 is chosen to provide the ability to elastically deform to a loaded or entered position by elastic bending, as described above, and to store potential energy, such as elastic energy, which returns device 10 to a stress-free position (referred to as the unloaded position, stress-free position, or use position). Example materials for device 10 include plastics (e.g., thermoplastics), composites, and nylon. One example material for device 10 is a polyether block amide, such as PEBAX, available from Arkema Corporation of King Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. Another example material for device 10 is glass fiber reinforced polyamide. An example of glass fiber reinforced polyamide is RISLAN BZM 7 0 TL, available from Arkema Corporation of King Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. This glass fiber reinforced polyamide has a density of 1.07 g / cm³ under ISO 1183 testing method, an instantaneous hardness of 75 on the Shore D scale under ISO 868 testing method, a tensile modulus of 1800 MPa under ISO 527 testing method (sample treated at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for 15 days), and a flexural modulus of 1500 MPa under ISO 178 testing method (sample treated at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for 15 days). Another example material for device 10 is nylon 12 (with or without glass fiber), such as RTP 200F or RTP 201F, available from RTP Corporation, Winona, Minnesota, USA. Another example material for device 10 is rigid thermoplastic polyurethane (with or without glass fiber), such as RTP 2300 or RTP 2301, available from RTP Corporation, Winona, Minnesota, USA. Another example material for this device is acetal (polyoxymethylene (POM)) (with or without glass fiber), such as RTP 800 or RTP 801, available from RTP Corporation, Winona, Minnesota, USA. The materials specifically mentioned above are by way of example only and not an exclusive enumeration, and, in conjunction with the entire description provided, inform those skilled in the art of forming similar materials that may be useful when based on one or more structural embodiments disclosed herein.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the plurality of slats 12 comprises a total of four slats: an uppermost slat 12A, a first intermediate slat 12B, a second intermediate slat 12C, and a lowermost slat 12D. The first intermediate slat 12B is disposed between the uppermost slat 12A and the second intermediate slat 12C. The second intermediate slat 12C is disposed between the first intermediate slat 12B and the lowermost slat 12D. Within the scope of this disclosure, for a total of three slats, the plurality of slats 12 may include only one of the intermediate slats 12B or 12C; or for a total of four or more slats, it may include two or more intermediate slats.

[0044] Each slat 12A-12D has a central segment 22, an inner arm 24 extending downward and forward from the central segment 22 to a base 14, and an outer arm 26 extending downward and forward from the central segment 22 to the base 14. In some embodiments disclosed herein, which have only a single slat or have multiple slats, each slat may include only an inner arm or only an outer arm extending from the central segment to the base. The lower ends of the inner arm 24 and the outer arm 26 are integrally formed with the base 14, such that the arms 24, 26 serve as resiliently flexible joints near their connection with the base 14, as described herein. When in Figure 1 When in the unloaded position (also known as the used position), adjacent slats are separated from each other by slots 21 (e.g., air gaps).

[0045] The center segment 22D of the lowest slat 12D is positioned closer to the base 14 than the center segment 22A of the highest slat 12A, and also closer to the base 14 than the center segments 22B and 22C of the first and second intermediate slats 12B and 12C. As further discussed herein, when the plurality of slats 12 are pressed downward toward the base 14 by a force such as the force of a foot entering a footwear item, each slat elastically bends toward the base 14, and adjacent slats 12 may contact each other at their center segments 22. Figure 9 When the loading position is shown, the slot 21 is closed, and the adjacent slats 12 are in contact with each other at the center section 22.

[0046] The plurality of slats 12 include a progressive width and length gradient from the lowest slat 12D to the highest slat 12A. In other words, referring to... Figure 1 and 2The thickness and length of the slats 12 increase progressively from the bottommost slat 12D to the topmost slat 12A. The bottommost slat 12D has the smallest thickness T4 and the shortest length L4. The second intermediate slat 12C has a thickness T3 greater than thickness T4 and a length L3 greater than length L4. The first intermediate slat 12B has a thickness T2 greater than thickness T3 and a length L2 greater than length L3. The topmost slat 12A has a thickness T1 greater than thickness T2 and a length L1 greater than length L2. In a non-limiting example, thickness T1 can be 5 mm, thickness T2 can be 4.5 mm, thickness T3 can be 4 mm, and thickness T4 can be 2.5 mm. In a non-limiting example, the width of the slats can range from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm in the progressive order discussed. Because the bending moment of a beam-like object (e.g., any one of slats 12A, 12B, 12D, and 12D) is proportional to its thickness and length (e.g., where the thickness is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slat and the length is measured along the longitudinal axis of the slat), configuring the device 10 with multiple slats 12 allows for bending with lower force compared to using a single, thicker slat whose thickness extends from the top of the uppermost slat 12A to the bottom of the lowermost slat 12D. Each slat 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, under the applied load (e.g., Figure 9 Under a force F, the slats bend proportionally to their respective thickness and length (where, under a given load, thicker slats deflect less than thinner slats of the same length, and longer slats deflect more than shorter slats of the same thickness). Therefore, each slat deflects a given amount under a smaller force compared to a single slat with a larger overall thickness. When a downward load is applied to the uppermost slat 12A, slats 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D contact each other at the center segment 22. However, slats 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D slide relative to each other at their contact points, such that the bending force required for the desired deflection does not increase to the bending force required for a single wide slat (e.g., each acts as a separate beam rather than a single large beam).

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, the lengths of slats 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D increase from the lowest slat 12D to the highest slat 12A, where the length is measured from the end of the corresponding inner arm 24 at the base 14 to the end of the corresponding outer arm 26 at the base 14. The lowest slat 12D is shorter than the adjacent intermediate slat 12C because the lowest slat 12D is closer to the base 14 and its end is behind the end of the adjacent intermediate slat 12C, but the center segments 22 are stacked relatively perpendicularly. Similarly, the second intermediate slat 12C is shorter than the intermediate slat 12B, and the first intermediate slat 12B is shorter than the highest slat 12A. Therefore, the lowest slat 12D is shorter and thinner than the intermediate slat 12C, the intermediate slat 12C is shorter and thinner than the intermediate slat 12B, and the intermediate slat 12B is shorter and thinner than the highest slat 12A.

[0048] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, each slat is located at the end of its corresponding inner arm 24 ( Figure 3 ) and at the end of its corresponding outer arm 26 ( Figure 4 (For example, near the base 14) is thicker than at the center segment 22. In other words, the thickness of each slat varies along its length, with the smallest thickness at the center segment 22 and the largest thickness at the ends of the inner arm 24 and the outer arm 26. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area at the end of each of the inner arm 24 and the outer arm 26 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the center segment 22, wherein each cross-sectional area is cut perpendicular to the length of the corresponding slat 12A, 12B, 12C, or 12D (e.g., perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis). The thickness T1A of the uppermost slat 12A at its end is greater than the thickness T1. For example, the thickness T1A may be 1 mm greater than the thickness T1. The thickness T2A of the middle slat 12B at its end is greater than the thickness T2. For example, the thickness T2A may be 1 mm greater than the thickness T2. The thickness T3A of the middle slat 12C at its end is greater than the thickness T3. For example, the thickness T3A may be 1 mm greater than the thickness T3. The thickness T4A at the end of the lowest slat 12D is greater than the thickness T4. For example, the thickness T4A can be 1 mm greater than the thickness T4. Furthermore, the thickness at the ends increases in the order of T4A, T3A, T2A, T1A, with T4A being the thinnest and T1A the thickest. This is because the portions of the inner arm 24 and the outer arm 26 closest to the base 14 experience the most severe bending (e.g., when the central section 22 is pressed into the entry position) Figure 9 As shown), by making these sections thicker than the central section 22 (and correspondingly having a larger cross-sectional area than the central section), the stress in these sections is reduced compared to the thinner arm.

[0049] Figure 5This is a rear view of the heel support device 10. It is evident from the view of the heel support device 10 that the base 14 includes a relatively thick portion 14A adjacent to the uppermost segment 30 of the base 14 and a relatively thin portion 14B adjacent to the lowermost segment 32 of the base 14. The relatively thin portion 14B is thin enough to allow the device 10 to be secured to the footwear upper by joining (e.g., sewing) the lower segment of the upper to the base 14 through the relatively thin portion 14B. Optionally or additionally, the base 14 may be adhered to the upper. In some configurations, the base 14 may be sewn and / or adhered to a sole structure beneath the footwear upper, such as a midsole. Because the relatively thin portion 14B is on the outside of the foot and closer to the sole compared to the relatively thick portion 14A, when a heel support (e.g., heel support device 110) has a base 14 with a relatively thick portion 14A and a relatively thin portion 14B, as... Figure 14 When fixed to the upper 42 of footwear article 140, it can provide greater comfort due to its greater flexibility compared to relatively thicker portions. In various embodiments, the device may be disposed at or within the rear portion of the upper. In some embodiments, the device 10 may be fixed to the upper at the outermost surface of the upper. For example, the inner side 34 of the device 10 (e.g. Figure 1 and 6 (As shown) can be disposed on the outer surface of the outer layer of the upper. Optionally, the device 10 can be disposed between the layers of the upper (e.g., within the upper) such that it is mostly or completely covered and not visible from the outside of the shoe, the inner side 34 of the device 10 is fixed to the outer surface of the inner layer of the upper, and the outer layer of the upper is outside the outer side 36 of the device 10 (e.g. Figure 1 and 5 (As shown). Figure 7 This is a bottom view of device 10.

[0050] Figure 8 A footwear article 40 is shown, wherein a heel support device 10 is in an unloaded position, also known as a use position. The heel support device 10 is fixed to the rear portion 41 of the inner layer 54 of the upper 42 and extends from the outer side 18 (shown) to the inner side around the rear portion 43 of the heel region 44 of the footwear article 40, where the inner side 16 of the device 10 is located. The footwear article 40 also includes a midfoot region 46 and a forefoot region 48. The device 10 and the upper 42 are fixed to the underlying sole structure 45. The upper 42 extends in the heel region 44, the midfoot region 46, and the forefoot region 48, and forms a foot receiving cavity 50 on the sole structure 45. The upper 42 has a heel collar 51 and an ankle opening 52 at the heel collar 51, the ankle opening 52 communicating with the foot receiving cavity 50, and a foot 60 (see foot 60). Figure 9It can be inserted through the ankle opening 52. The heel support device 10 is shown as a hidden line because it is located between the inner layer 54 (shown as a hidden line) and the outer layer 56 of the upper 42. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the device 10 may be attached to the outside of the outer layer 56 so that it is visible on the footwear 40 (e.g., from the outside of the footwear).

[0051] like Figure 9 As shown, multiple slats 12 can move from under the action of applied force. Figure 8 The deload position is pressed to Figure 9 The loading position, also known as the entry position. Under the force F applied by the foot 60 to the center segment 22 of the uppermost slat 12A (e.g., through the upper 42), the slats 12A-12D are pressed down, causing the center segment 22 to be closer to the base 14 than in the unloading position. The upper 42 is pulled down by the device 10 at the rear of the ankle opening 52, causing the ankle opening 52 to open to a greater extent than in the use position (e.g., from above and from the rear), allowing the foot 60 to enter the foot receiving cavity 50 more easily. For example, the use of hands or other tools to stretch or open the ankle opening 52 can be avoided. If the upper 42 is a stretchable material, the ankle opening 52 can be larger in the entry position than in the use position. When multiple slats 12 are pressed against the base 14, each slat 12A-12D in Figure 8 unload location and Figure 9 The device flexes elastically between the load positions. When the foot 60 completes its entry, the internal biasing force of the slats 12A-12D will cause the device 10 to return to the unload position, releasing the stored energy input by the foot 60 to flex the slats 12A-12D. The device 10 and the rear of the upper 42 will slide upward over the rear of the heel portion of the foot 60 when returning to the unload position.

[0052] In some embodiments, the heel support device may include at least one bolt extending through a hole in the upper and secured to the surface of the upper. For example, see reference... Figure 10 Heel support device 110 is shown to be similar to heel support device 10 in all respects, except that heel support device 110 includes only a single bolt 62 extending from the center segment 22 of the lowest slat 12D. Figure 11 The location of a single bolt 62 on the lowest slat 12D is best shown. A portion of the central segment 22 of the lowest slat 12D has a thickened region 64 from which the bolt 62 extends. The thickened region 64 allows for the use of a bolt 62 with a larger diameter than in cases where the portion of the bolt 62 extending from the lowest slat 12D is as thin as the adjacent portion of the central segment 22 of the lowest slat 12D. For example, although the adjacent portion may have a thickness T4 of approximately 2.5 mm, the thickened region 64 allows the bolt 62 to have a diameter of 4 mm. Figure 12 and 13The side view and inside view of the device 110 are shown.

[0053] Figure 14 and 15 A device 110 is shown installed in the upper 42 of a footwear article 140. A bolt 62 extends through a hole 61 in the upper 42 and is welded (e.g., by radio frequency welding) to the outer surface 63 of the upper 42. The construction of the bolt 62 and the method of manufacturing the footwear 140 to weld the bolt 62 to the upper 42 are described in co-owned, co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 16 / 689,590, filed November 20, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The hole 61 extends through the outer layer 56 and is covered by an enlarged head of the bolt 62, which is formed when the bolt 62 is partially melted to weld to the outer surface 63 of the upper 42. Because the bolt 62 extends from the bottommost slat 12D, it anchors the outer layer 56 of the upper 42 to the bottommost slat 12D when it is welded to the bottommost slat 12D. The outer layer 56 and the inner layer 54 are connected to each other at the ankle opening 52 above the device 110, for example, by stitching at a reverse seam.

[0054] like Figure 14 As shown, when the device 110 is pressed down by the force F of the foot 60 (e.g., under the load applied by the foot 60), as the foot 60 contacts and slides against the inner layer 54 during foot insertion, the foot 60 provides a downward pulling force on the inner layer 54. Because the bolt 62 acts as an anchor point for the outer layer 56 at the center of the lowermost slat 12D, and because the inner layer 54 is secured to the outer layer 56, the inward pulling of the sliding foot 60 on the inner layer 54 is transmitted to the bolt 62, and the portion of the outer layer 56 extending between the bolt 62 and the inner layer 54 is pulled above the top of the uppermost slat 12A and in the downward direction of the inner layer 54, as... Figure 14 As indicated by the middle arrow F1, because the slats 12A-12D slide relative to each other in the front-to-back direction once the slot 21 closes during the compression of the device 10 by force F, the pull of the upper 42 upward from the lowest pin 62 and over the inner layer 54 helps to keep all the slats 12A-12D moving as a unit with little or no lateral tilting relative to each other. In contrast, if the pin 62 were still the only pin on the device 110, but extended from the middle slat 12C (or any of the slats 12A or 12B) instead of the lowest slat 12D, then the lowest slat 12D might not be subject to the pull of the upper 42 generated by the foot 60, as it would be below the anchoring point of the upper 42 at the pin 62. In such an embodiment, this would make it easier for the slat 12D to move laterally relative to the other slats 12A, 12B, and 12C during compression and foot entry.

[0055] In other embodiments, two or more bolts 62 may extend from the heel support device. Providing at least two spaced-apart bolts 62 extending from the heel support device, as shown and described herein, allows for precise positioning of the heel support device relative to the upper during manufacturing, wherein the upper is configured to have the same number of holes as the plurality of bolts 62, these holes being arranged with equal relative spacing. For example, Figure 16 An embodiment of heel support device 210 is shown, which is similar in all respects to heel support device 110, except that an additional bolt 62 extends outward from the rear of the base 14. When this lower bolt 62 extends through a corresponding hole in the upper 42 and is welded to the outer surface 63 of the outer layer 56, it also helps to secure the outer layer 56 of the upper 42 to the base 14, in addition to any stitching or adhesion between the upper and the base 14. Figure 17 An embodiment of a heel support device 310 is shown, which is similar in all respects to the heel support device 110, except for the addition of three additional bolts, for a total of four bolts 62. In addition to the bolts 62 extending from the lowermost slat 12D and from the rear of the base 14, bolts 62 extend from the base 14 on the inner side 16 and from the base 14 on the outer side 18. By providing four bolts 62, one on the lowermost slat 12D, one at the rear of the base 14, one on the inner side of the base 14, and one on the outer side 18 of the base 14, the four bolts 62 are spaced apart in a first arrangement with four interval positions, not all of which are coplanar. This allows the device 310 to be positioned more precisely relative to an upper with four holes spaced apart in the same first arrangement, or to be positioned more precisely relative to such an upper during manufacturing in a shorter time than a device with only two or three bolts.

[0056] Some heel support devices may include a slender end that extends backward from the center section of the topmost slat to further increase the ease of foot entry. Figure 18 A heel support device 410 is shown, which is similar to the heel support device 10 in all respects, except that the central segment 22 of the uppermost slat 12A includes an elongated end 70 extending rearward from the central segment 22. Figure 24 As shown, when the heel support device 410 is positioned and fixed in place at the rear of the upper 42 of the footwear article 440, the upper surface 72 of the elongated end 70 slopes downward and inward toward the foot receiving cavity 50. This downward and inward slope provides a ramp for the foot 60, which guides the foot 60 into place. Figure 23 The foot-accommodating cavity is 50. Figure 18In the middle, the upper surface 72 may have a discontinuity point P1, at which the slope of the upper surface 72 increases in a forward direction (e.g., in the direction from the rear 20 of the device 10 toward the front 74) and takes the following along the longitudinal centerline LM of the footwear 440 in which the device 410 is fixed (see...). Figure 23 and 25 For example, the slope of surface 72 behind point P1 is constant (e.g., the portion of surface 72 behind the discontinuity point P1 is flat), while the slope of the portion 72A of surface 72 in front of the discontinuity point P1 is non-linear. This variation in the slope of surface 72 will further increase the ramp effect of the elongated end 70. Alternatively, the upper surface 72 may extend without a discontinuity point, the discontinuity point may be further back on the upper surface 72, or there may be more than one discontinuity point on the upper surface 72, where the slope changes. As shown, when the heel support device 410 is in Figure 18 When the load is removed, the upper surface 72 behind the discontinuity point P1 is relative to the horizontal plane and is aligned with the inner arm 24. Figure 20 ) and outer arm 26 ( Figure 21 Extending at approximately the same angle. Furthermore, the elongated end 70 can be configured to be more... Figure 20 and 21 The more forward or backward tilt shown can result in greater changes in curvature at the discontinuities along surface 72.

[0057] Figure 18 It is also shown that the outer periphery 76 of the central segment 22 of the uppermost slat 12A has discontinuities P2 and P3 on either side of the elongated end 70, at which the elongated end 70 diverges from the rest of the slat 12A. The discontinuities P2 and P3 are also shown... Figure 19 In the rear view and the inner and outer views. By providing discontinuities P2 and P3, the position of the elongated end 70 can be easily visually located before the foot enters, because the elongated end 70 extends more sharply and distinctly from the uppermost slat 12A compared to an elongated end with the same curvature along the uppermost slat 12A without discontinuities. For example, in Figure 22 The diagram shows an alternative elongated end 70A without any discontinuities at the outer periphery 76 of the uppermost slat 12A, extending rearward from the uppermost slat 12A of the heel support device 510. The heel support device 510 is constructed identically to the heel support device 410, except for the alternative elongated end 70A. The alternative elongated end 70A, characterized by having no discontinuities at the outer periphery 76 of the uppermost slat 12A, provides the advantage of a wider range (e.g., a wider elongated end 70A) over which the foot rests during the pressing of the device 510 to the loading position.

[0058] Figure 25 The cross-section is taken at the longitudinal centerline LM through the footwear 440. The upper 42 has a tapered extension 42A that extends rearward from the heel collar 51 and covers the elongated end 70. Because the device 410 is disposed within the upper 42, the upper 42 also covers each of the inner arm 24 and outer arm 26 of the uppermost slat 12A. In other embodiments, the upper 42 may alternatively cover only one arm of the device 410, such as the inner or outer arm, instead of the elongated end. In yet another embodiment, the upper may cover only the elongated end without covering one or more arms of the device. The tapered extension 42A forms a cavity 78 in which the elongated end 70 is disposed. More specifically, the inner layer 54 and the outer layer 56 are stitched together at a reverse seam 57, and the elongated end 70 and the pad 80 are disposed within the cavity 78. In some embodiments, the engagement of the elongated end 70 with the extension 42A of the heel collar 51 is sufficient to secure the upper 42 relative to the device 410 such that the upper 42 moves downward with the device 410 during the press-down to the entry position and returns upward to the use position after the downward pressure F (e.g., load) is removed, thereby excluding the bolt 62 or other attachments of the slats 12 to the upper 42.

[0059] Figure 26 A heel support device 610 is shown, which is similar to the heel support device 410 in all respects except that a bolt 62 extends rearward from the lowest slat 12D. The bolt 62 may extend through a hole in the outer layer 56 of the upper 42 and be secured to the outer layer 56 of the upper 42 in the same manner (e.g., by radio frequency welding or other means), and provide a connection with… Figure 14 and 15 It has the same advantages as described in the section on heel support device 110. Figure 27 An embodiment of a heel support device 710 is shown, which is similar in all respects to the heel support device 610, except that an additional bolt 62 extends rearward from the rear of the base 14. The lower bolt 62 helps to secure the outer layer 56 of the upper 42 to the base 14 when it extends through a corresponding hole in the outer layer 56 and is welded to the outer surface 63 of the outer layer 56. Figure 28 An embodiment of a heel support device 810 is shown, which is similar in all respects to the heel support device 610, except that a total of three additional bolts are added, bringing the total to four bolts 62. In addition to the bolts 62 extending from the lowermost slat 12D and from the rear of the base 14, bolts 62 extend from the base 14 on the inner side 16 and from the base 14 on the outer side 18. The four bolts 62 can be used in conjunction with… Figure 17 The four bolts 62 on the heel support device 310 are fixed to the upper 42 in a similar manner.

[0060] The features and advantages of the heel support devices described herein can be provided in combination or individually to increase functionality and accessibility to footwear, as described. Furthermore, the following commonly owned and commonly pending applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 15 / 793,008, filed October 25, 2017 (now published as US2018 / 0110292); U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 16 / 008,797, filed June 14, 2018 (now published as US2018 / 0289109); U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 16 / 689,590, filed November 20, 2019; and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 16 / 689,665, filed November 20, 2019.

[0061] The following terms provide example constructions of footwear items disclosed herein.

[0062] Clause 1: A footwear article comprising: an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having a heel region; a heel support device disposed and / or located in and / or fixed in place at a rear portion of the upper, extending around the rear portion of the heel region, and including a plurality of slats and a base; wherein each slat has a central segment and an arm extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base; each slat is resiliently flexible between the unloaded position and the loaded position when pressed from an unloaded position toward the base to a loaded position, the central segment being farther from the base in the unloaded position than in the loaded position; the plurality of slats including an uppermost slat, a lowermost slat closer to the base than the uppermost slat, and at least one intermediate slat disposed between the uppermost slat and the lowermost slat; and wherein the plurality of slats includes a progressive length and / or width gradient from the lowermost slat to the uppermost slat.

[0063] Clause 2: Footwear items as described in Clause 1, wherein:

[0064] The bottommost slat is shorter and thinner than the at least one intermediate slat, and the at least one intermediate slat is shorter and thinner than the topmost slat.

[0065] Clause 3: Footwear articles pursuant to any one of Clauses 1-2, wherein,

[0066] The heel support device includes at least one bolt that extends through a hole in the upper and is secured to the surface of the upper.

[0067] Clause 4: Footwear items as described in Clause 3, wherein:

[0068] The upper includes an inner layer and an outer layer; the perforation extends through the outer layer; the heel support is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.

[0069] Clause 5: Footwear items as described in Clause 3, wherein:

[0070] The at least one bolt extends from the center section of one of the plurality of slats.

[0071] Clause 6: Footwear items as described in Clause 5, wherein:

[0072] The at least one plug is a single plug.

[0073] Clause 7: Footwear items as described in Clause 6, wherein:

[0074] The single bolt extends outward from the lowest of the plurality of slats.

[0075] Clause 8: Footwear articles pursuant to any one of Clauses 1-7, wherein,

[0076] One of the central segments includes a slender end that extends backward.

[0077] Clause 9: Footwear items as described in Clause 8, wherein:

[0078] The elongated end extends from the uppermost of the plurality of slats.

[0079] Clause 10: Footwear items as described in Clause 8, wherein:

[0080] The upper has a heel collar that defines an opening into the foot cavity; the upper has a tapered extension extending rearward from the heel collar; and the tapered extension of the heel collar covers the elongated end.

[0081] Clause 11: Footwear articles as described in Clause 10, wherein:

[0082] The tapered extension of the heel collar forms an inner cavity, and the elongated end is disposed in the inner cavity of the tapered extension of the heel collar.

[0083] Clause 12: Footwear articles as described in Clause 10, wherein:

[0084] The upper surface of the elongated end slopes downward and inward toward the foot receiving cavity.

[0085] Clause 13: Footwear articles as described in Clause 12, wherein:

[0086] The slope of the upper surface of the elongated end increases in the forward direction along the longitudinal centerline of the footwear, thereby providing a ramp.

[0087] Clause 14: Footwear articles as described in Clause 12, wherein:

[0088] The upper surface of the elongated end includes discontinuities.

[0089] Clause 15: Footwear articles as described in Clause 12, wherein:

[0090] The outer periphery of the central segment has a discontinuity at the elongated end.

[0091] Clause 16: Footwear articles as described in Clause 12, wherein:

[0092] The outer periphery of the central segment is characterized by the absence of discontinuities at the elongated end.

[0093] Clause 17: Footwear articles pursuant to any one of Clauses 1-16, wherein,

[0094] The base includes a relatively thick portion adjacent to the uppermost section of the base and a relatively thin portion adjacent to the lowermost section of the base.

[0095] Clause 18: Footwear articles as described in Clause 17, wherein:

[0096] The upper is sewn or adhered to a relatively thin portion of the base.

[0097] Clause 19: A footwear article comprising: an upper defining a foot receiving cavity having a heel region, the upper having a heel collar defining an opening into the foot receiving cavity, and the upper having a tapered extension extending rearward from the heel collar; a heel support extending about the rear of the heel region and including a control rod and a base, the control rod having a central segment and an arm extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base; wherein the control rod is resiliently flexible between an unloaded position and a loaded position, and is pressable from the unloaded position toward the base to the loaded position, the central segment being farther from the base in the unloaded position than in the loaded position; the central segment including a rearwardly extending elongated end; and the tapered extension of the heel collar covering the elongated end.

[0098] Clause 20: Footwear articles as described in Clause 19, wherein:

[0099] The tapered extension of the heel collar forms an inner cavity, and the elongated end is disposed in the inner cavity of the tapered extension of the heel collar.

[0100] Clause 21: A footwear article comprising: an upper defining a foot receiving cavity having a heel region, the upper having a heel collar defining an opening to the foot receiving cavity; a heel support extending about a rear portion of the heel region and including a control rod and a base, the control rod having a central segment and an arm extending downward and forward from the central segment to the base; wherein the control rod is resiliently flexible between an unloaded position and a loaded position, and is pressable from the unloaded position toward the base to the loaded position, the central segment being farther from the base in the unloaded position than in the loaded position; the central segment including a rearwardly extending elongated end; and wherein at least one of the upper covering arm and the elongated end is present.

[0101] Clause 22: Footwear articles as described in Clause 21, wherein:

[0102] Each of the upper covering arm and the elongated end.

[0103] To aid in and clarify the description of the various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise stated, the following definitions apply throughout the specification (including the claims). Furthermore, all references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0104] "Footwear articles", "footwear products" and "footwear" can be considered as machines and manufactured goods. Footwear articles (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) intended for wear before final assembly into a finished product, as well as discrete components of footwear articles (e.g., midsole, outsole, upper assembly, etc.) prior to final assembly into a wearable product, are considered herein and may alternatively be referred to in the singular or plural as "footwear articles".

[0105] The terms “an,” “a,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate the presence of at least one. Multiple such items may exist unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise, including the appended claims. Unless otherwise explicitly or clearly indicated by the context, including the appended claims, the numerical values ​​of all parameters (e.g., quantities or conditions) in this specification shall be understood to be modified in all cases by the term “about,” regardless of whether “about” actually precedes the numerical value. “About” indicates that the numerical value allows for some slight imprecision (achieving accuracy in some way; approximating or reasonably approaching the value; close to). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then “about” as used herein means a variation that can at least be caused by ordinary methods of measuring and using such a parameter. As used in the specification and appended claims, a value is considered “about” equal to the value if it is neither five percent greater nor five percent less than the stated value. Furthermore, the disclosure of a scope shall be understood to specifically disclose all values ​​within that scope and further subdivisions of the scope.

[0106] The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive, thus specifying the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but not excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Where possible, the order of steps, processes, and operations may be changed, and other or alternative steps may be employed. As used herein, the term “or” includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any” should be understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including “any one” of the referenced items. The term “any” should be understood to include any possible combination of the claims referenced in the appended claims, including “any one” of the referenced claims.

[0107] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are used throughout the detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom” are used descriptively with respect to the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0108] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction in which a component extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot and heel areas. The terms "forward" or "front" are used to refer to the general direction from the heel area to the forefoot area, while the terms "backward" or "rear" are used to refer to the opposite direction, from the forefoot area towards the heel area. In some cases, a component can be identified by its longitudinal axis and the longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis can also be referred to as the front-back direction or axis.

[0109] The term "lateral" refers to the direction in which the width of an extending component is measured. For example, the lateral aspect of a shoe extends between the outer and inner sides of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis can also be referred to as the sideways direction or axis, or the inward / outward direction or axis.

[0110] The term "vertical" refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the horizontal and vertical directions. For example, when a shoe sole is placed flat on the ground, the vertical direction can extend upwards from the ground. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to various parts of the sole. The term "upwards" or "upwardly" refers to a vertical direction pointing towards the top of a part, which may include the instep, fastening area, and / or throat of the upper. The term "downwards" or "downwardly" refers to a vertical direction opposite to the upwards direction, pointing towards the bottom of the part, and can generally refer to the bottom of the sole structure of footwear.

[0111] The “interior” of footwear articles such as shoes refers to the portion of the space occupied by the wearer’s foot when the shoes are worn. The “interior side” of a component refers to the side or surface of an assembled footwear article that faces (or will face) the interior of the component or footwear article. The “exterior side” or “outer side” of a component refers to the side or surface of an assembled shoe that is oriented (or will be oriented) away from the interior of the shoe. In some cases, other components may be located between the interior side of a component and the interior of the assembled footwear article. Similarly, other components may be located between the exterior side of a component and the exterior of the assembled footwear article. Furthermore, the terms “inward” and “inner” refer to a direction toward the interior of a footwear article or component, such as a shoe, and the terms “outward” and “outer” refer to a direction toward the exterior of a footwear article or component, such as a shoe. Additionally, the term “proximal” refers to a direction closer to the center of the footwear component or closer to the foot when the user inserts their foot into the footwear article while wearing the shoe. Similarly, the term "distal" refers to a relative position away from the center of the footwear component or further away from the foot when a user inserts their foot into the footwear. Therefore, the terms proximal and distal can be understood as providing largely opposite terms to describe relative spatial positions.

[0112] Although various embodiments have been described, this description is intended to be exemplary and not restrictive, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of these embodiments. Unless specifically limited, any feature of any embodiment may be combined with or substituted with any other feature or element in any other embodiment. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except by means of the appended claims and their equivalents. Similarly, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0113] Although several modes for implementing many aspects of this teaching have been described in detail, those skilled in the art relating to these teachings will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing this teaching within the scope of the appended claims. All that is included in the foregoing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings is intended to be illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments, and based on this inclusion, those skilled in the art will recognize the entire range of alternative embodiments, implicitly, structurally and / or functionally equivalent, or otherwise apparent, and not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and / or described.

Claims

1. A type of footwear, comprising: A heel support device that extends around the rear of the heel area of ​​the foot-receiving cavity of the footwear; in: The heel support device includes a control rod and a base; The control lever has a central section extending around the rear of the heel area, an inner arm extending downward and forward from the central section to the base, and an outer arm spaced apart from the inner arm and extending downward and forward from the central section to the base. The base extends around the rear of the heel region below the central segment and connects to both the inner arm and the outer arm. The base has a relatively thick portion adjacent to the uppermost section of the base and a relatively thin portion adjacent to the lowermost section of the base, the relatively thin portion being thinner than the relatively thick portion; and The relatively thinner portion extends further forward than the control lever.

2. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein, The relatively thinner portion extends further forward than the relatively thicker portion.

3. The footwear article according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The central segment is capable of elastically bending between the unloaded position and the loaded position when pressed from the unloaded position toward the base to the loaded position, wherein the central segment is farther from the base in the unloaded position than in the loaded position.

4. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein, The relatively thin portion is arranged from the front end of the relatively thin portion in front of the inner arm to the lowest section of the relatively thin portion in front of the outer arm adjacent to the base.

5. Footwear according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The height of the base is greater at the rear of the base than at the front end of the base on the inner side of the base, and the height of the base is greater at the rear of the base than at the front end of the base on the outer side of the base.

6. The footwear article according to claim 5, wherein, The height of the relatively thinner portion is greatest at the rear of the base.

7. The footwear article according to any one of claims 1-2, further comprising: The relatively thin section is sewn or glued to the upper of the shoe to the heel support device.

8. The footwear article according to claim 7, wherein, The heel support device is located between the inner and outer layers of the shoe upper.

9. The footwear article according to claim 7, wherein, The heel support device is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper.

10. The footwear article according to any one of claims 1-2, further comprising: The sole structure is stitched or glued to the heel support device at the relatively thin section.

11. The footwear article according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The control lever includes a plurality of slats separated by slots, each of the plurality of slats having a central section, an inner arm, and an outer arm.

12. The footwear article according to claim 11, wherein, Each slat is thicker at the ends of the inner and outer arms than at the center section.

13. A type of footwear, comprising: The upper of the shoe defines the cavity that accommodates the foot; The sole structure is located below the upper. A heel support device that extends around the rear of the heel region of the foot receiving cavity; in: The heel support device includes a control rod and a base; The control lever has a central section extending around the rear of the heel area, an inner arm extending downward and forward from the central section to the base, and an outer arm spaced apart from the inner arm and extending downward and forward from the central section to the base. The base extends around the rear of the heel region below the central segment and connects to both the inner arm and the outer arm. The base has a relatively thick portion adjacent to the uppermost section of the base and a relatively thin portion adjacent to the lowermost section of the base, the relatively thin portion being thinner than the relatively thick portion; At both the outer and inner sides of the heel support device, the relatively thin portion extends to and defines the front end of the heel support device; and The upper and / or the sole structure are stitched or adhered to the heel support at the relatively thinner portion.

14. The footwear article according to claim 13, wherein, The relatively thinner portion extends further forward than the relatively thicker portion.

15. The footwear article according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The central segment is capable of elastically bending between the unloaded position and the loaded position when pressed from the unloaded position toward the base to the loaded position, wherein the central segment is farther from the base in the unloaded position than in the loaded position.

16. The footwear article according to claim 13, wherein, The relatively thin portion is arranged from the front end of the relatively thin portion in front of the inner arm to the lowest section of the relatively thin portion in front of the outer arm adjacent to the base.

17. The footwear article according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The height of the base is greater at the rear of the base than at the front end of the base on the inner side of the base, and the height of the base is greater at the rear of the base than at the front end of the base on the outer side of the base.

18. The footwear article according to claim 17, wherein, The height of the relatively thinner portion is greatest at the rear of the base.

19. The footwear article according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The heel support device is located between the inner and outer layers of the shoe upper.

20. The footwear article according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The heel support device is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper.

21. The footwear article according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The control lever includes a plurality of slats separated by slots, each of the plurality of slats having a central section, an inner arm, and an outer arm.

22. The footwear article according to claim 21, wherein, Each slat is thicker at the ends of the inner and outer arms than at the center section.

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